Here are the calories burned per hour doing horse care or riding. 130 lb person: 155 lb person: 190 lb person: Shoveling 354 cal/hr 422 cal/hr 518 cal/hr General Horse Riding: 236 cal/hr 281 cal/hr 345 cal/hr Riding horse at the walk: 148 cal/hr 176 cal/hr 216 cal/hr Riding horse
Are you ready for your child to make amazing gains, new friends while gaining confidence and independence?
It's hard as a parent to watch your child struggle to do things that come so easily to other kids- things like climbing on the playground, making friends, using flexible thinking, or playing with other kids. It's can be so hard to see them struggle and they may have to work harder than others just to get through the day. They may become anxious, overwhelmed, or easily frustrated. Your child may seem tired and lethargic, or maybe the opposite: high energy, constantly on-the-go, and rarely slowing down for a second.
Do any of these sound like your child?
We understand how nature can help your child make gains in their development. You might feel perplexed or overwhelmed, but we can show you how our strategic method of nature based therapy benefits kids who need a little extra help. If you worry they may be missing critical skills they need to develop during the early years of childhood, we can support you with easy nature based activities that you can re-create all year long.
All kids should have the support they need to gain attention, executive function and social-emotional skills that are foundational for a healthy and happy life.
That’s our job.
Join up today and reserve your child's spot!
Outdoor Nature
Groups
your key to
fun and success
Welcome to our Forest Focus Grop
Here's how our groups can help
Confidence
Kids feel confident when they can do well, conquer challenges and feel capable. Confident kids are more cooperative, have better control over their emotions and are willing to try new things.
Time in Nature
Research shows that child who spend more time in nature have longer attention spans, decreased challenging behaviors and better sleep. Now, who wouldn't want a dose of that medicine?
Making friends
Groups help kids to build skills such as turn taking, starting a conversation with another kid, resolving conflicts and working together to create an amazing outdoor fort.
Who?
Is your child right for the group?
Our Forest Focus groups are perfect for children aged 7-12 years old who would need more calm, cooperation and confidence in their lives. Our nature-based OT group is a just-right combination of fun outdoor experiences and social connections. Ideal for kids who need some extra practice to interact positively with others, manage their emotions and upgrade their thinking/planning and doing skills.
Parents who choose our program:
- Value being outdoors
- Seek help for their child having challenges at home or school
- Don’t mind a child who comes home a little dirty and tired
- Love a therapy option that is so much fun it doesn’t feel like work
When?
What are the days and times of the group?
April 4th through June 13th, 2023
Tuesdays
After School Hours: 4:00-5:30pm
What?
What is included in the group?
- "Get to know you" call
- Review of intake paperwork and previous reports
- Collaborative goal setting
- Weekly updates with summaries
- Individual videos to show your child's progress (with media release provided)
- Progress note at the conclusion of group
- Weekly 90-minute sessions of fun confidence building in the great outdoors!
Group sessions investment for participation is $75 per session. There are 11 total session and 2-3 absences are permitted within the group time frame. Sibling discounts available if there is room in the group.
A current (less than 12 months) OT evaluation is required to participate in group. If your child doesn't have one, we will complete an evaluation to give you a holistic view of your child's strengths and areas for growth. The evaluation rate is $200 for a 1:1 in-person evaluation, online parent assessments and written report that can be re-used in school IEP meetings, with other therapy providers and to support your child in other recreational activities.
Your nature guides
Gina and Ryan are both NJ licensed Occupational therapy practitioners and avid outdoor enthusiasts. They understand how to work with kids in the outdoors to bring out the best in each child. Gina is kind and crafty and loves engaging the group in cooperative play. Ryan brings the challenge and structure to the groups. This teamwork is a great model for the group members and helps demonstrate positive social interactions for children.
Gina and Ryan
Epona Therapy Team
Learn more about OT in nature and with animals
Learn more about our expertise
Recreation or therapy?
Horses were used for medical rehabilitation when they were also used for transportation and agricultural purposes. I think there has always been a separation between the use of horses in daily life (now the competitive and recreational riders) and the use of the horse as a partner in medical services.
What are some Equine careers that require a degree?
Careers involving therapy incorporating horses require a degree in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, psychology, psychiatry, social work or similar medical degree. These field combine horses with assisting persons with special needs or working with groups for team building or family counseling. These degrees give professionals a solid
Sign up and reserve a spot for your child to get started on a new journey.
Don't hesitate! Spots are limited to eight children in each group. Groups fill fast and we want to help as many families as possible.
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